Monday, June 17, 2013

2013 Season Countdown: #73 Khalid Hill

Let's have another debate about which actor he resembles and/or how old he looks:
Khalid Hill (left) with Jake Butt and Jaron Dukes.
Name: Khalid Hill
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Crockett
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Hill was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 60.

Hill was a bit of a surprise offer and committed in February 2012. Michigan's coaching staff offered him as a U-back, the "move" tight end/fullback that guys like Devin Funchess, Ian Bunting, etc. play or will play. He's built a little differently than those guys, though. Shorter and stockier, he's perhaps a bit more pass-catching fullback than traditional tight end. Think Larry Centers or Keith Byars, the latter of whom went to Ohio State, so forget I said that.

I could see Hill's season going either way - a redshirt or some time as a backup. He didn't enroll early, but he's already stout enough to hold his own in limited time. As a pass catcher, he's more advanced than Michigan's fullback options (Joe Kerridge, Sione Houma) but less so than Funchess. I think Michigan can find a small role for him this season, get him a little experience, and have a wide array of tight end/U-back/fullback options in 2014 and beyond.

Prediction: Backup U-back

8 comments:

  1. I am always hoping they use Hill like Bama did with Smellie, they are about the same size and athleticism. Smellie was quite a weapon in sever situations and a problem for defenses. Thunder, do you think he compares?

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  2. I don't know if the coaches knew the recruiting success they were going to have with accepting a commitment from Hill so early in the process. Maybe they wanted to get the ball rolling, I don't know, but I don't think he should have ever been offered in the first place.

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    1. You'd think 2012 would have given them a decent clue (on success, that is).

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  3. I love Hill. Watch the film. He has Big Ten size, has good hands and can run well. Can a db cover him out of the backfield? He roll over him. Great offer.

    It is amazing how many fans just think everyone should be a 1st round pick projected to the NFL rather than a team with some role players.

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    1. He'd be covered by a LB generally, so the question to ask will be if a LB can cover him effectively. If he can block effectively, he should be pretty useful in a pass catching FB type role.

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  4. I am fairly confident that Hill finds a niche in the offense... more confident than with Shallman. He has demonstrated good receiving skills for a thick guy. I think he has the ability to give defenses some problems either from te or fb.

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  5. He doesn't have great measurables, but sure seems like a gamer. He was a main target for Shane Morris during those 7 on 7 tournaments. Kid has great hands and finds a way to get open.

    Drew Dileo and Jeremy Gallon would not be offered in 2013, but they are gamers who max out their talent. Hope Hill is the same.

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  6. Guessing he red shirts with the other H-back options we have but like you said - it could go either way with him.

    I wonder if his fate is tied somewhat to Morris, with whom he seems to have a nice chemistry.

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